So much happens on a daily basis. It takes a focused effort to stop and be grateful. It has been said that being grateful is a key to prosperity. Some say "that which you praise grows, that which you ignore dies." And some make billions on other people's sayings. There is supposed to be a path for each of us. We are some fearfully and wonderfully made as distinctly individual entities with powers and abilities different from each other. And yet, there is jealousy. And yet there is competition. Which is illusion? which is reality? and does reality shift with the new thoughts being created? Are there truly any new thoughts? Are we running a previously failed program? Will anything truly matter? Okay. Enough philosophy. Time to paint. -steve

I read yesterday about the stand-off between the Philippines and China. i thought to myself, oh great, here comes another world war. But then I read about the killings of innocent people in Syria. SO I said to myself, oh great there's another opening for world war and US Troops. Ah, but then I heard about the killings of Christians in Northern Nigeria. Surely this will require US troops on the ground. Oh, but what about the unannounced race wars in America where we already have troops on the ground? When it gets down & dirty, the color of your skin and facial features will be the determining factor in whether you live or die. No matter who your friends may be, it's a race thing. So don't be surprised when you see your face on a Dead or Alive poster. Truth will become what is protected with a gun. Am I being alarmist? too negative? Frankly, I don't know. Every day the news reports on more killings, slayings, murders, suicides, genocides, infanticides, than I can keep up with. Peace, some say, isn't profitable. Maybe there is a way to make it so. Maybe all those "prayer warriors" out there can focus on establishing peace within themselves so that they can then share it with others. I hate to admit to prejudice. However, when the actions of certain people groups reinforces past stereotypes, it becomes more difficult to remain neutral. Pray for peace. Prepare for war.